UMW is enhancing its first-year seminar program to give freshmen a richer introduction to academic life.
For the first time, the program will offer residential clustering based on the seminar topics students choose. Freshmen will receive comprehensive advising, and they’ll all read, write about, and discuss Rebecca Skloot’s The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.
UMW will offer more than 60 first-year seminars on topics ranging from game theory to Jane Austen. In residential clustering, students live with classmates from their first-year seminars, creating a community that combines living and learning. Incoming students may choose a first-year seminar and housing assignments once they have made enrollment deposits. Every freshman must enroll in a seminar.
Tim O’Donnell, associate provost for academic engagement and student success, said studies show that students who participate in a first-year seminar earn higher GPAs by the end of freshman year and are more likely to return for a second year.
“First-year seminars are proven to engage students,” he said.
The comprehensive advising program will provide a support network including the student’s first-year seminar teacher, a professional adviser, and a peer mentor. The common book will draw students together as early as their August arrival. By then, they’ll have written about The New York Times bestseller and will be ready to discuss it. In spring 2016, Skloot will speak about the book during the Chappell Great Lives Lecture Series.
Check out the seminar topics at umw.edu/fsem. For the first time, the program will offer residential clustering based on the seminar topics students choose. Freshmen will receive comprehensive advising, and they’ll all read, write about, and discuss Rebecca Skloot’s The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.
UMW will offer more than 60 first-year seminars on topics ranging from game theory to Jane Austen. In residential clustering, students live with classmates from their first-year seminars, creating a community that combines living and learning. Incoming students may choose a first-year seminar and housing assignments once they have made enrollment deposits. Every freshman must enroll in a seminar.
Tim O’Donnell, associate provost for academic engagement and student success, said studies show that students who participate in a first-year seminar earn higher GPAs by the end of freshman year and are more likely to return for a second year.
“First-year seminars are proven to engage students,” he said.
The comprehensive advising program will provide a support network including the student’s first-year seminar teacher, a professional adviser, and a peer mentor. The common book will draw students together as early as their August arrival. By then, they’ll have written about The New York Times bestseller and will be ready to discuss it. In spring 2016, Skloot will speak about the book during the Chappell Great Lives Lecture Series.